Charging system for electric vehicles

ABSTRACT

An electric vehicle charging system includes a power distributing system configured to receive power from a power control system and selectively direct the power to one of a plurality of power dispensers coupled to the power distribution system.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/818,884, filed Mar. 15, 2019, the disclosure of which is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The current disclosure relates to a charging system for electricvehicles.

BACKGROUND

Electric vehicles, such as buses, cars, trucks, etc. are charged at acharging station to recharge their batteries. In the case of a fleet ofelectric vehicles, multiple vehicles may be recharged at the same time(e.g., when they are parked overnight at a depot, when multiple vehiclespull into a charging station, etc.). In the case of a large fleet (suchas, for example, a fleet of electric buses), a reduction in operatingcosts can be achieved by reducing the infrastructural and other costsassociated with charging (such as, for example, decreasing number ofchargers, increasing the number of vehicles that can be charged at thesame time, etc.). Embodiments of the current disclosure may result in adecrease in charging related costs for electric vehicles. The scope ofthe current disclosure, however, is defined by the attached claims, andnot by the ability to solve any specific problem.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to, among other things,charging system for electric vehicles. In one embodiment, an electricvehicle charging system is disclosed. The charging system includes apower distributing system configured to receive power from a powercontrol system and selectively direct the power to one of a plurality ofpower dispensers coupled to the power distribution system.

In one embodiment, an electric vehicle charging system is disclosed. Theelectric vehicle charging system may include a power control systemconfigured to receive power from a utility grid, a power distributionsystem configured to receive power from the power control system, and afirst power dispenser and a second power dispenser coupled to the powerdistribution system. The first power dispenser and the second powerdispenser may each be configured to direct power to an electric vehicle.And, the power distribution system may be configured to selectivelydirect the received power to one of the first and second powerdispensers.

In another embodiment, a method for charging electric vehicles isdisclosed. The method may include releasably coupling a first powerdispenser to a first electric vehicle and a second power dispenser to asecond electric vehicle. The first and second power dispensers may becoupled to a power distribution system, and the power distributionsystem may be coupled to a power control system. The method may alsoinclude directing power from the power control system to the powerdistribution system, and selectively directing power from the powerdistribution system to the first power dispenser without directing powerto the second power dispenser.

In another embodiments, a power distribution system configured to chargea first electric vehicle and a second electric vehicle is disclosed. Thepower distribution system may include a first power dispenser and asecond power dispenser. The power distribution system may also include afirst contactor, a second contactor, and a control unit. The firstcontactor may electrically couple the first power dispenser to a powercontrol system and the second contactor may electrically couple thesecond power dispenser to the power control system. The control unit maybe configured to receive power from the power control system, receiveinformation regarding the first electric vehicle coupled to the firstpower dispenser and the second electric vehicle coupled to the secondpower dispenser. The control unit may also be configured to determine tocharge the first electric vehicle prior to the second electric vehiclebased on the received information, selectively direct power to the firstdispenser coupled to the first electric vehicle by activating the firstcontactor and deactivating the second contactor, and as a result ofdetermining that the first electric vehicle is charged, selectivelydirect power to the second dispenser coupled to the second electricvehicle by activating the second contactor and deactivating the firstcontactor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments of thepresent disclosure and together with the description, serve to explainthe principles of the disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary electric vehiclecharging system of the current disclosure according to one embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a power distribution system (PDS)of the electric vehicle charging system of FIG. 1 in an exemplaryembodiment according to one embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of multiple electric vehicles (EVs)in an exemplary depot according to one embodiment;

FIGS. 4A-4B are schematic illustrations of multiple electric vehicles(EVs) in exemplary depots according to some embodiments; and

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary electric vehiclecharging system of the current disclosure according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure describes a charging system for electricvehicles. While principles of the current disclosure are described withreference to specific types of electric vehicles, it should beunderstood that the disclosed charging systems and methods may be usedin any electric vehicle application.

FIG. 1 schematically depicts an embodiment of electric vehicle chargingsystem 100. The electric vehicle charging system 100 may include aplurality of charge dispensers 60 (dispensers 60A-60E) electricallycoupled to a power control system (PCS 20) through a power distributingsystem (PDS 40). Any number to charge dispensers 60 may be connected toPDS 40. Each charge dispenser 60 may include a cable with a connector 62(or another plug-in interface). Connector 62 may be connected (e.g.,plugged in) to a charge port 12 of an electric vehicle (EV 10) to chargeEV 10. As illustrated in FIG. 1 , EV 10 may include any type of electricvehicle (car, bus, truck, motor cycle, etc.). That is, the dispensers 60of charging system 100 may be configured to charge different types ofelectric vehicles (e.g, buses 10A, 10B and car 10C). During charging,connector 62 directs electric power from PCS 20 to EV 10 to recharge thebattery system (not shown) of EV 10. In some embodiments, charge port 12may be a standardized charge port (e.g., SAE J1772 charge port, ChadeMocharge port, etc.) that is configured to receive a correspondingstandardized connector 62 (e.g., SAE J1772 connector). As would berecognized by people of ordinary skill in the art, SAE J1772 charge portand SAE J1772 connector are a standardized pair of electrical connectorsfor electric vehicles in the United States. However, a standardizedcharge port and connector are not requirements. As would be recognizedby a person skilled in the art, any suitable now-known orfuture-developed connector and plug (standardized or non-standard) maybe used as connector 62 and charge port 12. In some embodiments,different dispensers 60 may include different types/configurations ofconnectors 62 (e.g., connector 62 of dispenser 60A may have a differentconnector than dispenser 60B, etc.) to charge EVs 10 havingcorresponding types of charge ports 12. In some embodiments, a singledispenser (e.g., dispenser 60A, 60B, etc.) may have multiple connectors(e.g., having different configurations) to charge EVs 10 havingdifferent configurations of charge ports 12 at that dispenser. Exemplarycharge ports and corresponding connectors are described in U.S. Pat. No.9,669,719, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

It should be noted that, although EV 10 is described as having a chargeport 12, and dispenser 60 is described as having a correspondingconnector 62 that plugs into the charge port 12, this connection methodis only exemplary. Any known method may be used to connect an EV to adispenser. In some embodiments, EV 10 may include a different type ofcharging interface (in addition to, or in place of, charge port 12) thatinterfaces with a corresponding charging interconnection of a chargingstation. For example, the charging interface of EV 10 may includecharge-receiving electrodes positioned on the roof (or another surfacesuch as the side surface) of EV 10, and the charging interconnection (ofcharging station) may include charging electrodes attached to aninverted pantograph that descends (or extends) to bring the chargingelectrodes in contact with the charge-receiving electrodes of EV 10. SeeFIG. 4B. In some embodiments, the charge-receiving electrodes may beattached to a pantograph attached to the roof of EV 10. To charge EV 10,the roof-top pantograph raises up to bring the charge-receivingelectrodes on the pantograph in contact with charging electrodes of thecharging station. See FIGS. 4A and 5 . In some embodiments, thesecharging electrodes may be in the form of wires that extend over aparking area for EVs in charging station. In general, the charginginterface of EV 10 and the corresponding charging connection of thecharging station may accommodate any type of conductive charging.Exemplary charging interfaces and corresponding charging connectionsthat may be used in charging system 100 are described in Internationalapplication PCT/US2018/054649, filed Oct. 5, 2018; U.S. Pat. Nos.8,324,858; 9,352,658; 9,321,364; and 9,718,367, all of which areincorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

In some embodiments, electric current from a utility grid 15 (e.g.,single phase or three-phase AC current from a utility company thatsupplies power in a geographic locality) may be directed to PCS 20(power control system). This AC current may be converted to DC currentat PCS 20 and distributed to the various dispensers 60 (i.e., dispensers60A-60E) via PDS 40 (power distributing system). PCS 20 may includeelectrical components (e.g., transformer, rectifier, power converter,switches, safety mechanisms, etc.) that convert the AC grid current tothe DC current. For example, in some embodiments, the utility grid 15may provide AC current having at a high voltage, for example, at avoltage between about 12-33 kV, to PCS 20. A transformer in PCS 20 maystep down this voltage to a lower voltage, e.g., 750V, and a rectifierof PCS 20 may convert the AC current to DC current. This DC current maythen be provided to one or more dispensers 60 as will be describedbelow. In some embodiments, PCS 20 may include (or may be coupled to) asecondary power delivery system 24, for example, to provide backup powerto EV 10. Power from secondary delivery system 24 may be used to chargeEV 10 at times of need (e.g., grid shutdown, voltage fluctuations. etc.)and/or to reduce cost (e.g., during times of high energy cost).Secondary power delivery system 24 may include any type of powergeneration device (e.g., solar panels, wind turbines, gas/dieselgenerators, etc.) or power storage device (e.g., capacitors, externalbattery packs, etc.) that can provide power to EV 10. In someembodiments, power from secondary power delivery system 24 may also bedirected to the buses 10 via PDS 40 and dispensers 60. PCS 20 mayinclude a control unit 22 configured to manage the delivery of power tothe dispensers 60. For example, control unit 22 may selectively directpower from utility grid 15 or secondary power deliver system 24 to thedispensers 60 based on power availability, energy cost, etc. PCS 20 mayalso include a communications system 26 with components configured tocommunicate with an external source (e.g., an EV 10, a control stationthat controls operation of a fleet of EVs 10, utility company, etc.) viaa wired or a wireless (e.g., cellular network, internet, etc.)connection. Using communications system 26, PCS 20 may communicate withthe external source to transmit data (e.g., current state of charge ofEV 10, total energy consumed in charging EVs, details (identificationnumber, etc.) of the EVs 10 being charged, etc.) and to receiveinformation (e.g., energy cost at that time from utility company,schedule and other information of EVs 10, etc.).

PDS 40 may be configured to receive power from PCS 20 and direct thepower to the one or more dispensers 60 (e.g., dispensers 60A-60E)connected to it. In some embodiments, PDS 40 may direct power todispensers 60 sequentially or in a serial manner. That is, in suchembodiments, PDS 40 directs power to only one of the dispensers 60connected to it at one time. If only one of the dispensers 60 (e.g.,dispenser 60A) has an EV 10 connected to it, PDS 40 will direct power toonly dispenser 60A. In some embodiments, even if EVs 10 are connected tomultiple dispensers 60 (e.g., dispensers 60A, 60C, and 60E asillustrated in FIG. 1 ), PDS 40 will direct power to only one of thesedispensers (e.g., dispenser 60A) at a time to charge the EV 10 (i.e., EV10A) connected to dispenser 60A. After charging EV 10A (or after EV 10Ahas been charged to a sufficient degree), PDS 40 may stop directingpower to dispenser 60A and direct power to one of dispensers 60C or 60E.As will be described in more detail later, a control unit of PDS 40 mayselectively direct power to one of the dispensers (i.e., 60A, 60C, or60E) based on a schedule or a priority. It is also contemplated that, insome embodiments, PDS 40 may distribute the power (from PCS 20) tomultiple (some or all) dispensers 60 in a parallel manner (i.e., at thesame time).

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of PDS 40 having four dispensers 60A,60B, 60C, and 60D connected thereto. It should be noted that theillustrated number of dispensers 60 in FIG. 2 is only exemplary and anynumber of dispensers can be connected to PDS 40. PDS 40 includes busbars 42A, 42B that receive power from PCS 20. For example, bus bar 42Amay be connected to the positive power output terminal (DC+) of PCS 20and bus bar 42B may be connected to the negative power output terminal(DC−) of PCS 20. As illustrated in FIG. 2 , these bus bars 42A, 42B maybe connected to each dispenser 60A-60D via a pair of contactors 44A,44B, 44C, 44D, etc. provided between bus bars 42A, 42B and eachdispenser 60. Power flow from bus bars 42A, 42B to a dispenser 60 may bestopped by opening the pair of contactors (referred to herein ascontactor) associated with that dispenser 60. For example, openingcontactor 44A will terminate power flow to dispenser 60A, openingcontactor 44C will terminate power flow to dispenser 60C, etc. Likewise,closing contactor 44A will allow power to flow from bus bars 42A, 42B todispenser 60A, etc.

PDS 40 includes a control unit 46 (e.g., a microcontroller, etc.)configured to control and monitor the operations of PDS 40. Among otherfunctions, control unit 46 may selectively open and close (i.e.,selectively activate) contactors 44A, 44B, 44C, 44D. For example, byselectively activating contactor 44A (i.e., closing contactor 44A andopening contactors 44B, 44C, and 44D), control unit 46 selectivelydirects power from PCS 20 to dispenser 60A. Similarly, by selectivelyactivating contactor 44C (i.e., closing contactor 44C and openingcontactors 44A, 44B, and 44D), control unit 46 selectively directs powerfrom PCS 20 to dispenser 60C. Thus, by selectively activating contactors44A-44D, control unit 46 selectively directs power to one of dispensers60A-60D to charge the EV 10 coupled to that dispenser. PDS 40 mayselectively energize dispensers 60 in any order by activating thecorresponding contactors (e.g., 60A→60B→60C→60D→60E;60C→60A→60E→60D→60B, etc.). As will be described in more detail below,control unit 46 may selectively activate contactors 44A-44D based on apriority for charging the EVs 10 connected to dispensers 60A-60D.

PDS 40 may include a communications system 48 configured to communicate(wirelessly or wired) with an external source (e.g., PCS 20, dispenser60, a charging controller located in or remote from charging system 100,etc.). The data/information communicated to (e.g., received by)communications system 48 may be indicative of the priority for chargingthe EVs 10 connected to dispensers 60A-60D (i.e., EVs 10A and 10B). Forexample, in embodiments where charging system 100 is configured tocharge EVs of a fleet (e.g., a fleet of electric transit buses (EV 10A,EV 10B, etc.) operating in fixed routes in a city, etc.), a chargingcontroller (e.g., a control system housed in a control center thatmanages the operation of the fleet) may determine the priority forcharging the EVs (based on factors such as, for example, schedule of thebuses, how much charge is needed, energy cost, if a bus is late, etc.)and send instructions to PDS 40 indicating which EV 10 (e.g., EV 10A) isto be charged first, which EV 10 (e.g., EV 10B) to charge second, etc.In embodiments where an EV of a fleet is being charged at chargingsystem 100, the control system of the fleet control center may be awareof the schedule of all the EVs and therefore may be well suited toprioritize the charging of the EVs being charged at the differentdispensers. In some embodiments, these instructions may also includecharging parameters (e.g., how long to charge, the charge current, etc.)for each EV 10. Based on data/information received by communicationssystem 48, control unit 46 may determine which of the dispensers 60A,60B, 60C, or 60D to activate. In some embodiments, control unit 46 (oranother control unit associated with charging system 100) may determinethe priority of charging based on other factors. For example, in someembodiments, the priority for charging may be based on default scheduleprogrammed in control unit 46 (e.g., a first-in, first-out order). Thatis, the EV (e.g., EV 10A) that is connected to a dispenser 60 (i.e.,dispenser 60A) first will be charged first, and the EV that connected toa dispenser 60 next will be charged next, etc.

Each dispenser 60 may include components configured to receive powerfrom PDS 40 and direct the power to EV 10. In some embodiments, some orall dispensers 60 may also be configured for bi-directional powertransfer (i.e., configured to transfer power from PCS 20 to EV 10 andtransfer power from EV 10 to PCS 20). Each dispenser 60 may also includecomponents (e.g., isolation transformer, etc.) configured to isolate anEV 10 (e.g., EV 10) connected to that dispenser (e.g., dispenser 60A)from EVs (e.g., EV 10C) connected to other dispensers (e.g., dispenser60C). Each dispenser 60 may also include a control unit configured tocommunicate with the EV connected to that dispenser and control units22, 48 (of PCS 20 and PDS 40) to control the charging process. Forexample, control unit 65A of dispenser 60A may communicate with EV 10A(or a charge controller of EV 10A) to determine (for example) thecurrent state of charge (SOC) of EV 10A. Control unit 65A may thendetermine the parameters for charging EV 10A (e.g., voltage, current,etc. for charging) based on its SOC, and instruct control unit 22 of PCS20 (and/or control unit 46 of PDS 40) to deliver power having thedetermined parameters (voltage, magnitude, etc.) to dispenser 60A tocharge EV10A. In some embodiments, when power is directed from PCS 20 todispenser 60A (i.e., when contactor 44A of PDS 40 is activated), controlunit 65A acts as the master controller and control unit 22 of PCS 20acts as the slave controller. That is, control unit 22 follows theinstructions of control unit 65A. Similarly, control unit 65C ofdispenser 60C determines the charge current and/or voltage for chargingEV 10C based on its SOC. And, when contactor 44C of PDS 40 is activated,control unit 65C acts as the master control unit and instructs controlunit 22 (of PCS 20) to direct power having the determined parameters toEV 10C (i.e., control unit 22 acts as the slave controller).

In some embodiments, some of the functions described above withreference to one control unit (e.g., control unit 22, 46, 65A) may beperformed by another control unit. In some embodiments, some of thesecontrol units (e.g., control unit 22, 46, 65A) may be combined. Ingeneral, these control units may include memory and logic devices andmay be configured to store data and perform arithmetic operations ondata. These control units (collectively or individually) may control thecharging of EVs 10 connected to the charging system 100 and thedischarge of power from these EVs 10 to the utility grid 15 (referred toas vehicle-to-grid or V2G). That is, in some embodiments, the controlunits of charging system 100 are not only configured to pull power fromutility grid 15 to charge EVs 10, but are also configured to feed powerback into utility grid 15 from EVs 10. In some embodiments, thesecontrol units may also control the discharge of power from some EVs 10(e.g., EV 10A) to the utility grid 15 while directing power from thegrid 15 to other EVs 10 (e.g., EV 10C).

It should be noted that although PCS 20 is described as converting ACcurrent to DC current and then directing the DC current to PDS 40, thisis not a requirement. In some embodiments, PCS 20 receives DC current asinput and outputs DC current to PDS 40. For example, a secondary powersource (e.g., including a bank of battery packs, a solar cell array,etc.) may input DC current into PCS 20, and PCS may direct that DCcurrent (either without any change or after modifying (e.g., steppingdown/stepping up voltage, etc.) the current) to PDS 40. It is alsocontemplated that, in some embodiments, PCS 20 may direct AC current toPDS 40. In such embodiments, either PDS 40 or inverters positionedupstream (e.g., between PCS 20 and PDS 40) or downstream of PDS 40(e.g., in dispenser 60 or between dispenser 60 and PDS 40) may convertthe AC current to DC current.

In an application where charging system 100 is used to charge a fleet ofvehicles, such as, for example, a fleet of electric buses (e.g.,electric school buses), many of these buses may be parked at a depot forextended periods (overnight, between shifts, etc.) of time. For example,electric school buses may be parked in the depot when they are not usedto transport students to school and return students home. FIGS. 3, 4A,and 4B are schematic illustrations of multiple EVs in the form ofelectric buses parked at an exemplary depot. As illustrated in thesefigures, at least some of the parked EVs (or all the EVs) are connectedto dispensers 60A, 60B, 60C, etc. located proximate each EV. Dispensersmay be arranged in the depot such that parking of EVs in the depot canbe maximized. As would be recognized by people skilled in the art, forrelatively large fleets of EVs (and/or in expensive real-estatemarkets), increasing the number of EVs that can be simultaneously parkedand charged in the depot (or increased parking density) may reduce costand increase operational efficiency. The parking density of EVs may beincreased by decreasing the size and/or the spacing between thedispensers (see FIG. 3 ) and/or by positioning the dispensers out fromthe path of the EVs (see FIGS. 4A, 4B). Sets of dispensers in the depotmay be connected to a single PDS. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 3 ,dispensers 60A, 60B, and 60C of Row A may be connected to PDS 40A,dispensers 60A, 60B, and 60C of Row B may be connected to PDS 40B, anddispensers 60A, 60B, and 60C of Row C may be connected to PDS 40C. Itshould be noted that the illustrated number of dispensers in each row isonly exemplary. That is, each row may include more or less number ofdispensers than that illustrated. It should also be noted that theillustrated arrangement of dispensers (i.e., in a rectangular grid) arealso exemplary. For example, in some embodiments, one or more PDSs maybe clustered together at one location and dispensers arranged around theclustered PDSs, for example, in a circle.

In some embodiments, each PDS may be connected to (i.e., powered by) aseparate PCS. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 3 , PDS 40A may beconnected to PCS 20A, PDS 40B may be connected to PCS 20B, and PDS 40Cmay be connected to PCS 20C. In some embodiments, multiple PCSs may beconnected to the same PDS. Each PCS in the depot may be similar to PCS20 (described previously), and each PDS in depot may be similar to PDS40 (described previously). In some embodiments, a charge controller(located in depot, located at a remote location, etc.) may control thecharging of the EVs parked in the depot (and connected to the differentdispensers). The charge controller may selectively activate thedifferent dispensers 60A, 60B, 60C in each row by sending instructionsto the corresponding PDS. For example, with reference to FIG. 3 , thecharge controller may instruct the PDSs in each row to activatedispensers in the order 60A→60B→60C (or any other desired order). Basedon these instructions, each PDS may selectively activate its contactors(as previously described) to power the dispensers connected to it in thedesired order. That is, the EVs connected to dispensers 60A in Rows A,B, and C are first charged. As described previously, while charging anEV using dispenser 60A, the control unit of dispenser 60A acts as themaster controller and instructs PCS 20A to direct power at the desiredvoltage (based, for example, on the SOC of the EV being charged) to thedispenser 60A. After charging the EV coupled to dispenser 60A in a rowis complete, the corresponding PDS activates dispenser 60B to charge theEV connected to that dispenser. Thus, all the EVs connected to thedispensers are automatically charged while the EVs are parked at thedepot. As explained previously, the EVs parked in the depot (andconnected to dispensers) may be charged in any order. In someembodiments, the EVs may be charged based on a default schedule (e.g.,first-in first-out or any other predetermined order). In someembodiments, the charge controller may be configured to change thedefault schedule of charging and reprioritize the charging order, forexample, based on the operating schedule of the EVs. For example, thecharge controller may change the default charging schedule to prioritizethe charging of EVs that will be used soon even if they are connected todispensers that will be activated later (based on the default schedule).

A PCS is significantly more expensive than a dispenser. In prior artcharging systems, a single dispenser is connected to a PCS and used tocharge an EV. Coupling multiple dispensers to a PCS (via a PDS) enablesmultiple EVs to be charged using a single PCS thus saving cost. Althoughonly one dispenser (of the multiple dispensers coupled to the PCS) isactivated at one time (and thus only one EV connected to the PCS ischarged at one time), significant cost savings can be achieved. Forexample, multiple EVs parked overnight in a depot can be connected to asingle PCS (via the PDS) and charged in sequence one after the otherwithout having to physically disconnect one EV and connect another EV.Additionally, a PCS is physically much larger than a dispenser. Couplingmultiple dispensers to a single PCS via a PDS enables the larger PCS tobe positioned at a remote location in the depot while the smallerdispensers are distributed in the EV parking area thus increasingparking density. See FIGS. 3, 4A, and 4B. As would be recognized bypeople skilled in the art, in expensive real-estate markets, increasingthe parking density of EVs reduces cost and increases operationalefficiency.

While principles of the present disclosure are described with referenceto specific embodiments, it should be understood that the disclosure isnot limited thereto. Those having ordinary skill in the art and accessto the teachings provided herein will recognize additionalmodifications, applications, embodiments, and substitution ofequivalents all fall within the scope of the embodiments describedherein. Accordingly, the invention is not to be considered as limited bythe foregoing description. For example, while certain features have beendescribed in connection with various embodiments, it is to be understoodthat any feature described in conjunction with any embodiment disclosedherein may be used with any other embodiment disclosed herein.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. An electric vehicle charging system, comprising: apower control system configured to receive power from a utility grid; apower distribution system configured to receive power from the powercontrol system; and a first power dispenser and a second power dispensercoupled to the power distribution system, wherein the first powerdispenser and the second power dispenser are each configured to directpower to an electric vehicle, and wherein the power distribution systemis configured to selectively direct the received power to one of thefirst and second power dispensers, and the first power dispenser and thesecond power dispenser each include a communication system configured tocommunicate with both (1) the electric vehicle and (2) at least one ofthe power distribution system or the power control system.
 22. Theelectric vehicle charging system of claim 21, wherein one or more of thefirst power dispenser and the second power dispenser communicates withthe electric vehicle to determine a current state of charge of theelectric vehicle.
 23. The electric vehicle charging system of claim 22,wherein the first power dispenser and the second power dispenserdetermine the power to deliver to the electric vehicle.
 24. The electricvehicle charging system of claim 23, wherein the first power dispenserand the second power dispenser provide instructions to at least one ofthe power distribution system and the power control system.
 25. Theelectric vehicle charging system of claim 24, wherein the first powerdispenser and the second power dispenser communicate with both the powerdistribution system and the power control system.
 26. The electricvehicle charging system of claim 21, wherein the power distributionsystem or the power control system include control system communicationwith one or more of the first power dispenser and the second powerdispenser.
 27. The electric vehicle charging system of claim 21, whereinone or more of the first power dispenser and the second power dispenserinclude an isolation transformer for isolating the electric vehicle fromother dispensers of the power distribution system.
 28. The electricvehicle charging system of claim 21, wherein one or more of the firstpower dispenser and the second power dispenser is bidirectional.
 29. Theelectric vehicle charging system of claim 21, wherein the powerdistribution system includes one or more contactors.
 30. The electricvehicle charging system of claim 21, further comprising a third powerdispenser and a fourth power dispenser coupled to the power distributionsystem, wherein the third power dispenser and the fourth power dispenserare each configured to direct power to an electric vehicle, and whereinthe power distribution system is configured to selectively direct thereceived power to one of the first, second, third, and fourth powerdispensers.
 31. A method of charging an electric vehicle comprising:releasably coupling a first power dispenser to a first electric vehicleand a second power dispenser to a second electric vehicle, wherein thefirst and second power dispensers are coupled in a parallel manner to apower distribution system, and the power distribution system is coupledto a power control system; electrically coupling the first dispenser tothe power control system; electrically coupling the second dispenser tothe power control system; receiving information regarding the firstelectric vehicle and the second electric using a communications systemcommunicatively coupled with the power control system, the informationcausing the first electric vehicle and the second electric vehicle to becharged; selectively directing power from one of the first powerdispenser and the second power dispenser without directing power to theother of the first power dispenser and the second power dispenser basedon the information.
 32. The method of claim 31, wherein one or more ofthe first power dispenser and the second power dispenser communicateswith the electric vehicle to determine a current state of charge of theelectric vehicle.
 33. The method of claim 32, wherein one or more of thefirst power dispenser and the second power dispenser determines a powerto deliver to the electric vehicle.
 34. The method of claim 33, whereinone or more of the first power dispenser and the second power dispenserprovides instructions to at least one of the power distribution systemor the power control system.
 35. The method of claim 34, wherein one ormore of the first power dispenser and the second power dispensercommunicate with both the power distribution system and the powercontrol system.
 36. The method of claim 31, wherein one or more of thepower distribution system and the power control system includes controlsystem communication with the first power dispenser or the second powerdispenser.
 37. The method of claim 31, wherein one or more of the firstpower dispenser and the second power dispenser include an isolationtransformer and determine which dispenser will provide power to theelectric vehicle.
 38. The method of claim 31, wherein one or more of thefirst power dispenser and the second power dispenser are bidirectional.39. A power distribution system comprising: a plurality of powerdispensers, each of the plurality of power dispensers electricallycoupled to a power control system through the power distribution system,the power control system electrically coupled to an electrical grid andthe power distribution system comprising a power distributioncommunications system; and a control unit configured to: receive powerfrom the power control system; receive information regarding a pluralityof electric vehicles coupled to the plurality of power dispensers viathe power distribution communications system; determine to charge one ormore of the plurality of electric vehicles based on the informationreceived via the power distribution communications system; selectivelydirect power to one or more of the plurality of electric vehiclescoupled to the plurality of power dispensers based on the determination.40. The power distribution system of claim 39, wherein one or more ofthe electric vehicles is an electric bus.